4/3/2012 11:20:00 AMGood Friday processions to show relevance of the Passion

Catholic Sentinel photo by Ed Langlois

In 2011 walk of the cross, John Kingery and Matt Cato of St. Juan Diego Parish bear the cross at the Beaverton Library, where Kingery discussed unemployment.

Good Friday processions are set for the Portland metro area, aiming to show that the Passion of Jesus still goes on in the 21st century.

A group bearing a large wooden cross will begin at midday from Immaculate Heart Church in Northeast Portland and walk through the Albina neighborhood to highlight places where poverty, crime and discrimination are still in need of redemption. With scripture and prayers read along the way, the walk will end back at Immaculate Heart where participants will pray for transformation in the world.

In Beaverton, more than 200 will stop at stations in the city's downtown, ending at St. Cecilia Church. They will pray in support of sanctity of life, nonviolence, debt relief, health care, environmental stewardship and the abolition of human trafficking. The group also will pray near Faith Café, where churches team up to feed the needy of west side suburbs.

During the Beaverton walk, Patrick Berg, a member of Holy Trinity Parish, will speak about his decision to be a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. John Kingery, a member of St. Juan Diego, will explain the trials he and his wife faced when trying to pay medical bills.

"Jesus carried his cross through the streets of Jerusalem on this day long ago," participants will pray. "Today we carry our cross through the suffering streets of our community."